1
|
Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Song J, Cheng X, Zhou C, Huang S, Zhao W, Zong Z, Yang L. Targeting the "tumor microenvironment": RNA-binding proteins in the spotlight in colorectal cancer therapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111876. [PMID: 38493688 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and has the second highest mortality rate among cancers. The development of CRC involves both genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, and recent research has focused on exploring the ex-transcriptome, particularly post-transcriptional modifications. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are emerging epigenetic regulators that play crucial roles in post-transcriptional events. Dysregulation of RBPs can result in aberrant expression of downstream target genes, thereby affecting the progression of colorectal tumors and the prognosis of patients. Recent studies have shown that RBPs can influence CRC pathogenesis and progression by regulating various components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Although previous research on RBPs has primarily focused on their direct regulation of colorectal tumor development, their involvement in the remodeling of the TME has not been systematically reported. This review aims to highlight the significant role of RBPs in the intricate interactions within the CRC tumor microenvironment, including tumor immune microenvironment, inflammatory microenvironment, extracellular matrix, tumor vasculature, and CRC cancer stem cells. We also highlight several compounds under investigation for RBP-TME-based treatment of CRC, including small molecule inhibitors such as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), siRNAs, agonists, gene manipulation, and tumor vaccines. The insights gained from this review may lead to the development of RBP-based targeted novel therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the TME, potentially inhibiting the progression and metastasis of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 MinDe Road, 330006 Nanchang, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Mingde Rd., Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China; Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, 330006 Nanchang, China
| | - Yujun Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 MinDe Road, 330006 Nanchang, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Mingde Rd., Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 MinDe Road, 330006 Nanchang, China; Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Mingde Rd., Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China; School of Ophthalmology and Optometry of Nanchang University, China
| | - Xifu Cheng
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry of Nanchang University, China
| | - Chulin Zhou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wentao Zhao
- The 3rd Clinical Department of China Medical University, 10159 Shenyang, China
| | - Zhen Zong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 MinDe Road, 330006 Nanchang, China.
| | - Lingling Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, No. 1 Mingde Rd., Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Saluja S, Bansal I, Bhardwaj R, Beg MS, Palanichamy JK. Inflammation as a driver of hematological malignancies. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1347402. [PMID: 38571491 PMCID: PMC10987768 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1347402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a tightly regulated process that produces all adult blood cells and immune cells from multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs usually remain quiescent, and in the presence of external stimuli like infection or inflammation, they undergo division and differentiation as a compensatory mechanism. Normal hematopoiesis is impacted by systemic inflammation, which causes HSCs to transition from quiescence to emergency myelopoiesis. At the molecular level, inflammatory cytokine signaling molecules such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferons, interleukins, and toll-like receptors can all cause HSCs to multiply directly. These cytokines actively encourage HSC activation, proliferation, and differentiation during inflammation, which results in the generation and activation of immune cells required to combat acute injury. The bone marrow niche provides numerous soluble and stromal cell signals, which are essential for maintaining normal homeostasis and output of the bone marrow cells. Inflammatory signals also impact this bone marrow microenvironment called the HSC niche to regulate the inflammatory-induced hematopoiesis. Continuous pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine activation can have detrimental effects on the hematopoietic system, which can lead to cancer development, HSC depletion, and bone marrow failure. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage DNA and ultimately lead to the transformation of HSCs into cancerous cells, are produced due to chronic inflammation. The biological elements of the HSC niche produce pro-inflammatory cytokines that cause clonal growth and the development of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) in hematological malignancies. The processes underlying how inflammation affects hematological malignancies are still not fully understood. In this review, we emphasize the effects of inflammation on normal hematopoiesis, the part it plays in the development and progression of hematological malignancies, and potential therapeutic applications for targeting these pathways for therapy in hematological malignancies.
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim H, Jung SY, Yun HH, Yoo K, Lee JS, Lee JH. UBE4B regulates p27 expression in A549 NSCLC cells through regulating the interaction of HuR and the p27 5' UTR. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 695:149484. [PMID: 38211530 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitination factor E4B (UBE4B) has a tumor-promoting effect, demonstrated by its aberrant expression in various types of cancers, and in vitro studies have shown that the retardation of cancer cell proliferation can be induced by targeting UBE4B. However, the molecular pathways through which UBE4B exerts its oncogenic activities have not yet been clearly identified and existing knowledge is limited to p53 and its subsequent downstream targets. In this study, we demonstrated that UBE4B regulates p27 expression in A549 cells via the cap-independent translation pathway following treatment with rapamycin and cycloheximide (CHX). Subsequently, we identified that UBE4B regulates p27 translation by regulating the interaction between human antigen R (HuR) and the p27 internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). First, UBE4B interacts with HuR, which inhibits p27 translation through the IRES. Secondly, the interaction between HuR and the p27 IRES was diminished by UBE4B depletion and enhanced by UBE4B overexpression. Finally, HuR depletion-induced growth retardation, accompanied by p27 accumulation, was restored by UBE4B overexpression. Collectively, these results suggest that the oncogenic properties of UBE4B in A549 cells are mediated by HuR, suggesting the potential of targeting the UBE4B-HuR-p27 axis as a therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyungmin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Soon-Young Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Hye Hyeon Yun
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Kyunghyun Yoo
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea
| | - Jae-Seon Lee
- Research Center for Controlling Intercellular Communication (RCIC), College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea; Program in Biomedical Science & Engineering, Inha University, Incheon, 22212, South Korea
| | - Jeong-Hwa Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea; Institute for Aging and Metabolic Diseases, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, 06591, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Salvato I, Ricciardi L, Nucera F, Nigro A, Dal Col J, Monaco F, Caramori G, Stellato C. RNA-Binding Proteins as a Molecular Link between COPD and Lung Cancer. COPD 2023; 20:18-30. [PMID: 36655862 DOI: 10.1080/15412555.2022.2107500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an independent risk factor for lung cancer development. Accelerated cell senescence, induced by oxidative stress and inflammation, is a common pathogenic determinant of both COPD and lung cancer. The post transcriptional regulation of genes involved in these processes is finely regulated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which regulate mRNA turnover, subcellular localization, splicing and translation. Multiple pro-inflammatory mediators (including cytokines, chemokines, proteins, growth factors and others), responsible of lung microenvironment alteration, are regulated by RBPs. Several mouse models have shown the implication of RBPs in multiple mechanisms that sustain chronic inflammation and neoplastic transformation. However, further studies are required to clarify the role of RBPs in the pathogenic mechanisms shared by lung cancer and COPD, in order to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review will therefore focus on the studies collectively indicating the role of RBPs in oxidative stress and chronic inflammation as common pathogenic mechanisms shared by lung cancer and COPD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Salvato
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Ricciardi
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Nucera
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
| | - Annunziata Nigro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Jessica Dal Col
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Monaco
- Chirurgia Toracica, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
| | - Gaetano Caramori
- Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Odontoiatriche e delle Immagini Morfologiche e Funzionali (BIOMORF), Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
| | - Cristiana Stellato
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xi S, Ming DJ, Zhang JH, Guo MM, Wang SY, Cai Y, Liu MY, Wang DQ, Zhang YJ, Li Y, Yuan S. Downregulation of N6-methyladenosine-modified LINC00641 promotes EMT, but provides a ferroptotic vulnerability in lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:359. [PMID: 37311754 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05880-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The prognosis of lung cancer is poor with few effective therapies. Targeting ferroptosis is a new promising strategy for cancer therapy. LINC00641 has been involved in several cancers, however, its specific roles in lung cancer treatment remain largely unknown. Here, we reported that LINC00641 was down-regulated in tumor tissues and its downregulation was associated with poor outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma. LINC00641 was localized primarily in the nucleus and was modified by m6A. The nuclear m6A reader YTHDC1 regulated LINC00641 expression by affecting its stability. We demonstrated that LINC00641 suppressed lung cancer by inhibiting migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Knockdown of LINC00641 upregulated HuR protein level (especially in the cytoplasm), which subsequently increased N-cadherin levels by stabilizing its mRNA, then ultimately promoted EMT. Interestingly, LINC00641 knockdown in lung cancer cells increased the arachidonic acid metabolism and promoted ferroptosis sensitivity. Our findings identified LINC00641 as a tumor suppressor through inhibiting EMT. In another aspect, low expression of LINC00641 caused a ferroptotic vulnerability in lung cancer cells, which may serve as a potential ferroptosis-related therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shu Xi
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- Department of Respiratory, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Dao-Jing Ming
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Jin-Hui Zhang
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Meng-Meng Guo
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Shuang-Ying Wang
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Cai
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng-Yang Liu
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan-Qi Wang
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Jie Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
- Department of Respiratory, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China.
| | - Yafei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Center for Evidence-Based and Translational Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mehta M, Raguraman R, Ramesh R, Munshi A. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and their role in DNA damage and radiation response in cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 191:114569. [PMID: 36252617 PMCID: PMC10411638 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally majority of eukaryotic gene expression is influenced by transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. Alterations in the expression of proteins that act post-transcriptionally can affect cellular signaling and homeostasis. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are a family of proteins that specifically bind to RNAs and are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and important cellular processes such as cell differentiation and metabolism. Deregulation of RNA-RBP interactions and any changes in RBP expression or function can lead to various diseases including cancer. In cancer cells, RBPs play an important role in regulating the expression of tumor suppressors and oncoproteins involved in various cell-signaling pathways. Several RBPs such as HuR, AUF1, RBM38, LIN28, RBM24, tristetrapolin family and Musashi play critical roles in various types of cancers and their aberrant expression in cancer cells makes them an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. In this review we provide an overview of i). RBPs involved in cancer progression and their mechanism of action ii). the role of RBPs, including HuR, in breast cancer progression and DNA damage response and iii). explore RBPs with emphasis on HuR as therapeutic target for breast cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73013, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cornelius VA, Naderi-Meshkin H, Kelaini S, Margariti A. RNA-Binding Proteins: Emerging Therapeutics for Vascular Dysfunction. Cells 2022; 11:2494. [PMID: 36010571 PMCID: PMC9407011 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular diseases account for a significant number of deaths worldwide, with cardiovascular diseases remaining the leading cause of mortality. This ongoing, ever-increasing burden has made the need for an effective treatment strategy a global priority. Recent advances in regenerative medicine, largely the derivation and use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies as disease models, have provided powerful tools to study the different cell types that comprise the vascular system, allowing for a greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind vascular health. iPSC disease models consequently offer an exciting strategy to deepen our understanding of disease as well as develop new therapeutic avenues with clinical translation. Both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms are widely accepted to have fundamental roles in orchestrating responses to vascular damage. Recently, iPSC technologies have increased our understanding of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in controlling gene expression and cellular functions, providing an insight into the onset and progression of vascular dysfunction. Revelations of such roles within vascular disease states have therefore allowed for a greater clarification of disease mechanisms, aiding the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Here, we discuss newly discovered roles of RBPs within the cardio-vasculature aided by iPSC technologies, as well as examine their therapeutic potential, with a particular focus on the Quaking family of isoforms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Andriana Margariti
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yu D, Feng Y, Jiang Z, Yan T, Fang K, Shi Y, Zhang J, Zhang S. The role of human antigen R (HuR) in modulating proliferation, senescence and radiosensitivity of skin cells. Exp Ther Med 2022; 24:566. [PMID: 35965840 PMCID: PMC9372994 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The skin is the largest outermost organ of the human body. It is vulnerable to various damages, such as ionizing radiation. Exploration of proliferation, senescence and radiosensitivity of skin cells contributes to the development of medical and cosmetic countermeasures against skin aging and toward injury protection. Human antigen R (HuR) is one of the most widely studied RNA-binding proteins and serves an important role in stabilization of mRNA and regulation of the expression of the target genes. To investigate the role of HuR in modulating proliferation, senescence and radiosensitivity of skin cells, the present study performed an in vitro study using lentivirus-mediated overexpression or silencing of HuR in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and human skin fibroblast WS1 cells. The results indicated that overexpression of HuR promoted proliferation, whereas downregulation of HuR inhibited proliferation of HaCaT and WS1 cells. Overexpression of HuR reduced apoptosis and senescence in skin cells. RNA-Seq of skin cells with HuR overexpression or knockdown identified 77 mRNAs positively or negatively correlated with HuR expression levels. In addition, silencing of HuR induced a significant increase in radiogenic reactive oxygen species after irradiation. Overexpression of HuR increased radiotolerance of HaCaT and WS1 cells. RNA immunoprecipitation coupled with RNA-Seq identified 14 mRNAs interacting with HuR upon radiation exposure. Overall, the findings of the present study illustrated the key role of HuR in modulating proliferation, senescence and radiosensitivity of skin cells providing a new therapeutic strategy for cosmetic treatments and to combat skin injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daojiang Yu
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Yahui Feng
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Jiang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yan
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Kai Fang
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Yuhong Shi
- Department of Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan 610051, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Radiation Medicine Department of Institute of Preventive Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, P.R. China
| | - Shuyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Wu X, Xu L. The RNA-binding protein HuR in human cancer: A friend or foe? Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 184:114179. [PMID: 35248670 PMCID: PMC9035123 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical trans factors that associate with specific cis elements present in mRNAs whose stability and translation are subject to regulation. The RBP Hu antigen R (HuR) is overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers and serves as a prognostic factor of poor clinical outcome. HuR promotes tumorigenesis by interacting with a subset of oncogenic mRNAs implicated in different cancer hallmarks, and resistance to therapy. Reduction of HuR levels in cancer cells leads to tumor regression in mouse xenograft models. These findings prompt a working model whereby cancer cells use HuR, a master switch of multiple oncogenic mRNAs, to drive drug resistance and promote cell survival and metastasis, thus rendering the tumor cells with high cytoplasmic HuR more progressive and resistant to therapy. This review summarizes the roles of HuR in cancer and other diseases, therapeutic potential of HuR inhibition, and the current status of drug discovery on HuR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Wu
- Higuchi Biosciences Center, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Liang Xu
- The University of Kansas Cancer Center, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hu P, Ni C, Teng P. Effects of artesunate on the malignant biological behaviors of non-small cell lung cancer in human and its mechanism. Bioengineered 2022; 13:6590-6599. [PMID: 35361045 PMCID: PMC9278965 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2042141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to assess the effects of artesunate (ART) on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of the non-small cell lung cancer cells A549 and H1299. The effects of ART and carboplatin (CBP) alone or in combination on the viability of A549 and H1299 cells were evaluated by MTT assay. The effects of 30 μg/ml ART on cell invasion, migration and apoptosis were evaluated by Transwell assay, scratch assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein expressions of human antigen R (HuR) and MMP-9 after treatment with 30 μg/ml ART for 48 h were detected by Western blotting. After 48 h of treatment, 9 μg/ml ART in combination with 7 μg/ml CBP exerted a mild synergistic effect on cell viability. The migration rates of cells treated with 30 μg/ml ART and number of invasive cells were significantly lower, and the apoptosis rates were higher than those of the DMSO-treated group. HuR and MMP-9 expressions in cells treated with 30 μg/ml ART for 48 h were significantly lower than those of the DMSO-treated group. ART suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells and induces their apoptosis, probably being associated with decreased expressions of HuR and MMP-9 proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Hu
- Department of Cardiac and Great Vessel Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chengyao Ni
- Department of Cardiac and Great Vessel Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Pen Teng
- Department of Cardiac and Great Vessel Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Assoni G, La Pietra V, Digilio R, Ciani C, Licata NV, Micaelli M, Facen E, Tomaszewska W, Cerofolini L, Pérez-Ràfols A, Varela Rey M, Fragai M, Woodhoo A, Marinelli L, Arosio D, Bonomo I, Provenzani A, Seneci P. HuR-targeted agents: An insight into medicinal chemistry, biophysical, computational studies and pharmacological effects on cancer models. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114088. [PMID: 34942276 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Human antigen R (HuR) protein is an RNA-binding protein, ubiquitously expressed in human tissues, that orchestrates target RNA maturation and processing both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. A survey of known modulators of the RNA-HuR interactions is followed by a description of its structure and molecular mechanism of action - RRM domains, interactions with RNA, dimerization, binding modes with naturally occurring and synthetic HuR inhibitors. Then, the review focuses on HuR as a validated molecular target in oncology and briefly describes its role in inflammation. Namely, we show ample evidence for the involvement of HuR in the hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer, reporting findings from in vitro and in vivo studies; and we provide abundant experimental proofs of a beneficial role for the inhibition of HuR-mRNA interactions through silencing (CRISPR, siRNA) or pharmacological inhibition (small molecule HuR inhibitors).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Assoni
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy; Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Valeria La Pietra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rosangela Digilio
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Caterina Ciani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Nausicaa Valentina Licata
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Micaelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Facen
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Weronika Tomaszewska
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Anna Pérez-Ràfols
- Giotto Biotech S.R.L., Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marta Varela Rey
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marco Fragai
- Magnetic Resonance Center (CERM), University of Florence and Interuniversity Consortium for Magnetic Resonance of Metalloproteins (CIRMMP), Via L. Sacconi 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Ashwin Woodhoo
- Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Functional Biology, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Galician Agency of Innovation (GAIN), Xunta de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160 Derio, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao 48013, Spain
| | - Luciana Marinelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "G. Natta" (SCITEC), National Research Council (CNR), Via C. Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabelle Bonomo
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Provenzani
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Pierfausto Seneci
- Chemistry Department, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, I-20133 Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Raguraman R, Shanmugarama S, Mehta M, Elle Peterson J, Zhao YD, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Drug delivery approaches for HuR-targeted therapy for lung cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 180:114068. [PMID: 34822926 PMCID: PMC8724414 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and conventional treatments for disease management have limitations associated with them. Novel therapeutic targets are thus avidly sought for the effective management of LC. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have been convincingly established as key players in tumorigenesis, and their dysregulation is linked to multiple cancers, including LC. In this context, we review the role of Human antigen R (HuR), an RBP that is overexpressed in LC, and further associated with various aspects of LC tumor growth and response to therapy. Herein, we describe the role of HuR in LC progression and outline the evidences supporting various pharmacologic and biologic approaches for inhibiting HuR expression and function. These approaches, including use of small molecule inhibitors, siRNAs and shRNAs, have demonstrated favorable results in reducing tumor cell growth, invasion and migration, angiogenesis and metastasis. Hence, HuR has significant potential as a key therapeutic target in LC. Use of siRNA-based approaches, however, have certain limitations that prevent their maximal exploitation as cancer therapies. To address this, in the conclusion of this review, we provide a list of nanomedicine-based HuR targeting approaches currently being employed for siRNA and shRNA delivery, and provide a rationale for the immense potential therapeutic benefits offered by nanocarrier-based HuR targeting and its promise for treating patients with LC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswari Raguraman
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Santny Shanmugarama
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jo Elle Peterson
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yan D Zhao
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jiang H, Tian Y, Zhao X, Zhang L, Wu Z. A circular RNA derived from FAT atypical cadherin 3 promotes lung cancer progression via forming a regulatory loop with oncogenic ELAV like RNA binding protein 1. J Biochem 2021; 171:519-528. [PMID: 34647573 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) is a covalently closed endogenous RNA that participates in disease progression. However, its role in lung cancer is largely undetermined. In the present study, we found an oncogenic circRNA in lung cancer, FAT atypical cadherin 3 (FAT3) circRNA (circ-FAT3) was remarkably upregulated in lung cancer in comparison to paired normal tissues. High circ-FAT3 was closely linked to larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, later clinical stage as well as dismal outcome. Stable knockdown of circ-FAT3 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. RNA binding protein ELAV like RNA binding protein 1 (HuR) was found to bind to introns flanking circ-FAT3, promoting the cyclization and generation of circ-FAT3. Further, circ-FAT3 was able to sponge miR-136-5p by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA), alleviating the repressive effect of miR-136-5p on HuR mRNA at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Moreover, circ-FAT3 expression in lung cancer tissues was strongly positively and negatively correlated with HuR and miR-136-5p expression, respectively. Overall, our data reveal the previously uncharacterized regulatory loop of circ-FAT3/miR-136-5p/HuR in lung cancer, and provide novel evidence for the importance of circRNA as a ceRNA in tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongfang Jiang
- Department of Geriatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110004, PR. China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110032, PR. China
| | - Xitong Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110032, PR. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110032, PR. China
| | - Zhuo Wu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110032, PR. China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Daks A, Petukhov A, Fedorova O, Shuvalov O, Kizenko A, Tananykina E, Vasileva E, Semenov O, Bottrill A, Barlev N. The RNA-binding protein HuR is a novel target of Pirh2 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:581. [PMID: 34091597 PMCID: PMC8179929 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03871-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The RING-finger protein Pirh2 is a p53 family-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase. Pirh2 also ubiquitinates several other important cellular factors and is involved in carcinogenesis. However, its functional role in other cellular processes is poorly understood. To address this question, we performed a proteomic search for novel interacting partners of Pirh2. Using the GST-pulldown approach combined with LC-MS/MS, we revealed 225 proteins that interacted with Pirh2. We found that, according to the GO description, a large group of Pirh2-associated proteins belonged to the RNA metabolism group. Importantly, one of the identified proteins from that group was an RNA-binding protein ELAVL1 (HuR), which is involved in the regulation of splicing and protein stability of several oncogenic proteins. We demonstrated that Pirh2 ubiquitinated the HuR protein facilitating its proteasome-mediated degradation in cells. Importantly, the Pirh2-mediated degradation of HuR occurred in response to heat shock, thereby affecting the survival rate of HeLa cells under elevated temperature. Functionally, Pirh2-mediated degradation of HuR augmented the level of c-Myc expression, whose RNA level is otherwise attenuated by HuR. Taken together, our data indicate that HuR is a new target of Pirh2 and this functional interaction contributes to the heat-shock response of cancer cells affecting their survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Daks
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation.
| | - Alexey Petukhov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation.,Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Hematology, 197341, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Olga Fedorova
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Shuvalov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Alena Kizenko
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Elizaveta Tananykina
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Elena Vasileva
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Oleg Semenov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Andrew Bottrill
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Nickolai Barlev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064, St Petersburg, Russian Federation. .,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141700, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russian Federation.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Xie W, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xiang Y, Wu N, Wu L, Li C, Cai T, Ma X, Yu Z, Bai L, Li Y. Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs4142441 and MYC co-modulated long non-coding RNA OSER1-AS1 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer by sequestering ELAVL1. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:2272-2286. [PMID: 33113263 PMCID: PMC8177763 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been involved in the process of lung cancer. Following clues given by lung cancer risk‐associated SNP, we aimed to find novel functional lncRNAs as candidate targets in lung cancer. We identified a lncRNA Oxidative Stress Responsive Serine Rich 1 Antisense RNA 1 (OSER1‐AS1) through a lung cancer risk‐associated SNP rs4142441. OSER1‐AS1 was down‐regulated in tumor tissue and its low expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival among non‐smokers in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function studies showed that OSER1‐AS1 acted as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting lung cancer cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro. Xenograft tumor assays and a metastasis mouse model confirmed that OSER1‐AS1 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. The promoter of OSER1‐AS1 was repressed by MYC, and the 3′‐end of OSER1‐AS1 was competitively targeted by microRNA hsa‐miR‐17‐5p and RNA‐binding protein ELAVL1. Our results indicated that OSER1‐AS1 exerted tumor‐suppressive functions by acting as an ELAVL1 decoy to keep it away from its target mRNAs. Our findings characterized OSER1‐AS1 as a new tumor‐suppressive lncRNA in NSCLC, suggesting that OSER1‐AS1 may be suitable as a potential biomarker for prognosis, and a potential target for treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Xie
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Youhao Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Na Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Long Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chengying Li
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tongjian Cai
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiangyu Ma
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zubin Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Li Bai
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yafei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Muscone derivative ZM-32 inhibits breast tumor angiogenesis by suppressing HuR-mediated VEGF and MMP9 expression. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 136:111265. [PMID: 33450490 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis is a highly effective strategy for cancer treatment. Human antigen R (HuR), an RNA-binding protein, is overexpressed in many cancers and regulates the mRNAs of multiple angiogenic factors by binding to the adenylate-uridylate-rich element in their 3' untranslated region. HuR protein has been demonstrated to be an important regulatory factor in macrophage-mediated angiogenesis, a process in which macrophages are critical for tumor progression. Muscone is a synthetic equivalent of musk, and recent studies have shown that it has a regulatory effect on angiogenesis. In this study, we synthesized five series of muscone derivatives and discovered that compound ZM-32 was effective in preventing HuR RRM1/2-Vegf-a mRNA complex formation. ZM-32 bound to HuR RRM1/2 protein with a KD value of 521.7 nmol/L. Furthermore, ZM-32 inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubule formation, and suppressed the VEGF/VEGFR2/ERK1/2 signaling axis mediated by macrophages in vitro. We also demonstrated that ZM-32 effectively prevented the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells and inhibited the growth and angiogenesis of MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors without any obvious toxicity in vivo. Mechanistically, exposure to ZM-32 influenced the mRNA stability of Vegf-a and Mmp9 in a HuR-dependent manner in both macrophages and MDA-MB-231 cells. Thus, in this study we identified a new muscone derivative, ZM-32, with anti-angiogenesis effects mediated via targeting HuR in breast cancer, that may become a potentially valuable lead compound for anti-cancer angiogenesis.
Collapse
|
17
|
Overall survival prediction of non-small cell lung cancer by integrating microarray and clinical data with deep learning. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4679. [PMID: 32170141 PMCID: PMC7069964 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61588-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common lung cancers worldwide. Accurate prognostic stratification of NSCLC can become an important clinical reference when designing therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. With this clinical application in mind, we developed a deep neural network (DNN) combining heterogeneous data sources of gene expression and clinical data to accurately predict the overall survival of NSCLC patients. Based on microarray data from a cohort set (614 patients), seven well-known NSCLC biomarkers were used to group patients into biomarker- and biomarker+ subgroups. Then, by using a systems biology approach, prognosis relevance values (PRV) were then calculated to select eight additional novel prognostic gene biomarkers. Finally, the combined 15 biomarkers along with clinical data were then used to develop an integrative DNN via bimodal learning to predict the 5-year survival status of NSCLC patients with tremendously high accuracy (AUC: 0.8163, accuracy: 75.44%). Using the capability of deep learning, we believe that our prediction can be a promising index that helps oncologists and physicians develop personalized therapy and build the foundation of precision medicine in the future.
Collapse
|
18
|
Andrade D, Mehta M, Griffith J, Oh S, Corbin J, Babu A, De S, Chen A, Zhao YD, Husain S, Roy S, Xu L, Aube J, Janknecht R, Gorospe M, Herman T, Ramesh R, Munshi A. HuR Reduces Radiation-Induced DNA Damage by Enhancing Expression of ARID1A. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11122014. [PMID: 31847141 PMCID: PMC6966656 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11122014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor suppressor ARID1A, a subunit of the chromatin remodeling complex SWI/SNF, regulates cell cycle progression, interacts with the tumor suppressor TP53, and prevents genomic instability. In addition, ARID1A has been shown to foster resistance to cancer therapy. By promoting non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), ARID1A enhances DNA repair. Consequently, ARID1A has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation. Here, we report that ARID1A is regulated by human antigen R (HuR), an RNA-binding protein that is highly expressed in a wide range of cancers and enables resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. Our results indicate that HuR binds ARID1A mRNA, thereby increasing its stability in breast cancer cells. We further find that ARID1A expression suppresses the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) caused by radiation and can rescue the loss of radioresistance triggered by HuR inhibition, suggesting that ARID1A plays an important role in HuR-driven resistance to radiation. Taken together, our work shows that HuR and ARID1A form an important regulatory axis in radiation resistance that can be targeted to improve radiotherapy in breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Andrade
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - James Griffith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
| | - Sangphil Oh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Joshua Corbin
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Anish Babu
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Supriyo De
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (S.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Allshine Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Yan D. Zhao
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Sanam Husain
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Sudeshna Roy
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (J.A.)
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA;
| | - Jeffrey Aube
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (J.A.)
| | - Ralf Janknecht
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Cell Biology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; (S.D.); (M.G.)
| | - Terence Herman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Department of Pathology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (J.C.)
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (D.A.); (M.M.); (J.G.); (T.H.)
- Stephenson Cancer Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; (S.O.); (A.B.); (Y.D.Z.); (R.J.); (R.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-405-271-6102; Fax: +1-405-271-2141
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Iacona JR, Monteleone NJ, Lemenze AD, Cornett AL, Lutz CS. Transcriptomic studies provide insights into the tumor suppressive role of miR-146a-5p in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1721-1732. [PMID: 31425002 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1657351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a complex disease in need of new methods of therapeutic intervention. Recent interest has focused on using microRNAs (miRNAs) as a novel treatment method for various cancers. miRNAs negatively regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, and have become attractive candidates for cancer treatment because they often simultaneously target multiple genes of similar biological function. One such miRNA is miR-146a-5p, which has been described as a tumor suppressive miRNA in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. In this study, we performed RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis following transfection of synthetic miR-146a-5p in an NSCLC cell line, A549, and validated our data with Gene Ontology and qRT-PCR analysis of known miR-146a-5p target genes. Our transcriptomic data revealed that miR-146a-5p exerts its tumor suppressive function beyond previously reported targeting of EGFR and NF-κB signaling. miR-146a-5p mimic transfection downregulated arachidonic acid metabolism genes, the RNA-binding protein HuR, and many HuR-stabilized pro-cancer mRNAs, including TGF-β, HIF-1α, and various cyclins. miR-146a-5p transfection also reduced expression and cellular release of the chemokine CCL2, and this effect was mediated through the 3' untranslated region of its mRNA. Taken together, our work reveals that miR-146a-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC by controlling various metabolic and signaling pathways through direct and indirect mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Iacona
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Newark Health Sciences Campus, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nicholas J Monteleone
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Newark Health Sciences Campus, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Alexander D Lemenze
- Newark Health Sciences Campus, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, USA.,Molecular Resource Facility, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Ashley L Cornett
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Newark Health Sciences Campus, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Carol S Lutz
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA.,Newark Health Sciences Campus, Rutgers University School of Graduate Studies, Newark, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Metastasis of cells from primary site to distant organs involves a series of sequential steps, and molecules responsible for all these events are understandably considered as potential targets for metastasis management. Tea polyphenols, the secondary metabolites of the tea leaf Camellia sinensis, are increasingly being studied for their antimetastatic properties. In this article, effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) and black tea polyphenols (BTP) on the molecules and events involved in metastasis are discussed in detail. As tea is a very popular beverage, tea polyphenols are expected to be potential chemopreventive agents that can be taken with normal diet and can be nontoxic due to their natural origin. However, individual variations in metabolic pathways, bioavailability, dose, and toxicity are some important factors that can modify the effectiveness of tea polyphenols within the human system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niladri Bag
- Department of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Gangtok, India
| | - Arundhati Bag
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, India
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
RNA Binding Protein HuR Promotes Autophagosome Formation by Regulating Expression of Autophagy-Related Proteins 5, 12, and 16 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:MCB.00508-18. [PMID: 30602494 PMCID: PMC6399664 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00508-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a process of lysosomal self-degradation of cellular components by forming autophagosomes. Autophagosome formation is an essential process in autophagy and is fine-tuned by various autophagy-related gene (ATG) products, including ATG5, ATG12, and ATG16. Although several reports have shown that numerous factors affect multiple levels of gene regulation to orchestrate cellular autophagy, the detailed mechanism of autophagosome formation still needs further investigation. In this study, we demonstrate that the RNA binding protein HuR (human antigen R) performs an essential function in autophagosome formation. We observe that HuR silencing leads to inhibition of autophagosome formation and autophagic flux in liver cells. Ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay allows the identification of ATG5, ATG12, and ATG16 mRNAs as the direct targets of HuR. We further show that HuR mediates the translation of ATG5, ATG12, and ATG16 mRNAs by binding to their 3' untranslated regions (UTRs). In addition, we show that HuR expression positively correlates with the levels of ATG5 and ATG12 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Collectively, our results suggest that HuR functions as a pivotal regulator of autophagosome formation by enhancing the translation of ATG5, ATG12, and ATG16 mRNAs and that augmented expression of HuR and ATGs may participate in the malfunction of autophagy in HCC cells.
Collapse
|
22
|
Yao Y, Chu H, Wang J, Wang B. Decreased human antigen R expression confers resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant lung cancer by inhibiting Bim expression. Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:2930-2942. [PMID: 30226552 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor‑tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‑TKIs) is an obstacle for the treatment of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the associated mechanisms are not well understood. Studies have reported that Bim expression levels may be associated with the efficacy of EGFR‑TKI treatment in NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations. Human antigen R (HuR) regulates the mRNA and protein expression of target genes, including certain B‑cell lymphoma 2 family members. The present study investigated whether HuR mediates resistance to EGFR‑TKIs via the regulation of Bim. The results demonstrated that decreased levels of HuR and Bim protein expression are associated with primary resistance to EGFR‑TKIs and reduced median progression‑free survival in NSCLC patients. In vitro assays also revealed that knockdown of HuR resulted in primary EGFR‑TKI resistance and reduced gefitinib‑induced apoptosis in HCC827 cells by decreasing Bim expression. Furthermore, elevated HuR expression restored gefitinib sensitivity and enhanced gefitinib‑induced apoptosis in H1650 cells by increasing Bim expression. In vivo, it was further demonstrated that overexpression of HuR was able to restore the gefitinib sensitivity of H1650 cells. Therefore, altered HuR/Bim expression is proposed to be a novel mechanism of EGFR‑TKI resistance in NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Yao
- Institute of Post‑Graduate, The Second Military Medical University, People's Liberation Army, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Huili Chu
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital, Jinan Command of The People's Liberation Army, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital, Jinan Command of The People's Liberation Army, Jinan, Shandong 250031, P.R. China
| | - Baocheng Wang
- Institute of Post‑Graduate, The Second Military Medical University, People's Liberation Army, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Blanco FF, Preet R, Aguado A, Vishwakarma V, Stevens LE, Vyas A, Padhye S, Xu L, Weir SJ, Anant S, Meisner-Kober N, Brody JR, Dixon DA. Impact of HuR inhibition by the small molecule MS-444 on colorectal cancer cell tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:74043-74058. [PMID: 27677075 PMCID: PMC5342034 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Observed during CRC tumorigenesis is loss of post-transcriptional regulation of tumor-promoting genes such as COX-2, TNFα and VEGF. Overexpression of the RNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) occurs during colon tumorigenesis and is abnormally present within the cytoplasm, where it post-transcriptionally regulates genes through its interaction with 3′UTR AU-rich elements (AREs). Here, we examine the therapeutic potential of targeting HuR using MS-444, a small molecule HuR inhibitor. Treatment of CRC cells with MS-444 resulted in growth inhibition and increased apoptotic gene expression, while similar treatment doses in non-transformed intestinal cells had no appreciable effects. Mechanistically, MS-444 disrupted HuR cytoplasmic trafficking and released ARE-mRNAs for localization to P-bodies, but did not affect total HuR expression levels. This resulted in MS-444-mediated inhibition of COX-2 and other ARE-mRNA expression levels. Importantly, MS-444 was well tolerated and inhibited xenograft CRC tumor growth through enhanced apoptosis and decreased angiogenesis upon intraperitoneal administration. In vivo treatment of MS-444 inhibited HuR cytoplasmic localization and decreased COX-2 expression in tumors. These findings provide evidence that therapeutic strategies to target HuR in CRC warrant further investigation in an effort to move this approach to the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando F Blanco
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ranjan Preet
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Andrea Aguado
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Vikalp Vishwakarma
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Laura E Stevens
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Alok Vyas
- Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society's ISTRA, Azam Campus, University of Pune, India
| | - Subhash Padhye
- Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society's ISTRA, Azam Campus, University of Pune, India
| | - Liang Xu
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Scott J Weir
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Shrikant Anant
- Department of Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dan A Dixon
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.,University of Kansas Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
HuR silencing elicits oxidative stress and DNA damage and sensitizes human triple-negative breast cancer cells to radiotherapy. Oncotarget 2018; 7:64820-64835. [PMID: 27588488 PMCID: PMC5323119 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
HuR is an mRNA-binding protein whose overexpression in cancer cells has been associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. While reports on HuR overexpression contributing to chemoresistance exist, limited information is available on HuR and radioresistance especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In this study we investigated the role of HuR in radiation resistance in three TNBC (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and Hs578t) cell lines. Endogenous HuR expression was higher in TNBC cells compared to normal cells. siRNA mediated knockdown of HuR (siHuR) markedly reduced HuR mRNA and protein levels compared to scrambled siRNA (siScr) treatment. Further, siHuR treatment sensitized TNBC cells to ionizing radiation at 2 Gy compared to siScr treatment as evidenced by the significant reduction in clonogenic cell survival from 59%, 49%, and 65% in siScr-treated cells to 40%, 33%, and 46% in siHuR-treated MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468 and Hs578t cells, respectively. Molecular studies showed increased ROS production and inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in HuR knockdown cells contributed to radiosensitization. Associated with increased ROS production was evidence of increased DNA damage, demonstrated by a significant increase (p < 0.05) in γ-H2AX foci that persisted for up to 24 h in siHuR plus radiation treated cells compared to control cells. Further, comet assay revealed that HuR-silenced cells had larger and longer-lasting tails than control cells, indicating higher levels of DNA damage. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that HuR knockdown in TNBC cells elicits oxidative stress and DNA damage resulting in radiosensitization.
Collapse
|
25
|
Fus ŁP, Pihowicz P, Koperski Ł, Marczewska JM, Górnicka B. High cytoplasmic HuR expression is associated with advanced pT stage, high grade and increased microvessel density in urothelial bladder carcinoma. Ann Diagn Pathol 2017; 33:40-44. [PMID: 29566946 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE HuR (human antigen R) protein is a RNA binding protein that stabilizes the mRNA and controls the translation of genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. Overexpression of HuR was reported in a variety of cancers, however its clinical significance in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) is still unknown. Our aim is to investigate the association between HuR expression and selected histopathological factors, such as tumor grade, pT stage, regional lymph nodes status and microvessel density (MVD). METHODS We studied expression of HuR protein in 119 patients with UBC in stages pTis and pTa-pT4 using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Tumor MVD was evaluated immunohistochemically using anti-CD31 antibody. RESULTS We observed no association between nuclear HuR immunoreactivity and tumor grade, stage or MVD. We found a significant association between cytoplasmic HuR positivity and high tumor grade, pT stage and MVD (p<0,001). We also observed significantly higher MVD values in cases with positive cytoplasmic HuR expression (p<0,001). No association between HuR immunoreactivity and lymph nodes status was found. CONCLUSIONS Our results may suggest that HuR is involved in the process of acquiring malignant histopathological features and ability to invade the muscularis propria by UBC cells. Considering frequent difficulties in diagnosing UBC in specimens obtained from transurethral tumor resection and the risk of understaging, cytoplasmic HuR expression would suggest an advanced disease and necessitate serial sectioning of the specimen in search of muscle invasion. Association between HuR expression and MVD could suggest HuR involvement in the process of angiogenesis in UBC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Piotr Fus
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 7, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Paweł Pihowicz
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 7, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Łukasz Koperski
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 7, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janina Maja Marczewska
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 7, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Górnicka
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego 7, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Chemo-biologic combinatorial drug delivery using folate receptor-targeted dendrimer nanoparticles for lung cancer treatment. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 14:373-384. [PMID: 29155362 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Co-administration of functionally distinct anti-cancer agents has emerged as an efficient strategy in lung cancer treatment. However, a specially designed drug delivery system is required to co-encapsulate functionally different agents, such as a combination of siRNA and chemotherapy, for targeted delivery. We developed a folic acid (FA)-conjugated polyamidoamine dendrimer (Den)-based nanoparticle (NP) system for co-delivery of siRNA against HuR mRNA (HuR siRNA) and cis-diamine platinum (CDDP) to folate receptor-α (FRA) -overexpressing H1299 lung cancer cells. The co-delivery of HuR siRNA and CDDP using the FRA-targeted NP had a significantly greater therapeutic effect than did individual therapeutics. Further, the FRA-targeted NP exhibited improved cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted NP against lung cancer cells. Finally, the NP showed negligible toxicity towards normal MRC9 lung fibroblast cells. Thus, the present study demonstrates FRA-targeted Den nanoparticle system as a suitable carrier for targeted co-delivery of siRNA and chemotherapy agents in lung cancer cells.
Collapse
|
27
|
Muralidharan R, Mehta M, Ahmed R, Roy S, Xu L, Aubé J, Chen A, Zhao YD, Herman T, Ramesh R, Munshi A. HuR-targeted small molecule inhibitor exhibits cytotoxicity towards human lung cancer cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9694. [PMID: 28855578 PMCID: PMC5577245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07787-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human antigen (Hu) R is an RNA-binding protein whose overexpression in human cancer correlates with aggressive disease, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. HuR inhibition has profound anticancer activity. Pharmacologic inhibitors can overcome the limitations of genetic inhibition. In this study, we examined the antitumor activity of CMLD-2, a small-molecule inhibitor directed against HuR, using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a model. CMLD-2 efficacy was tested in vitro using H1299, A549, HCC827, and H1975 NSCLC cells and MRC-9 and CCD-16 normal human fibroblasts. Treatment of NSCLC cells with CMLD-2 produced dose-dependent cytotoxicity, caused a G1 phase cell-cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. CMLD-2 decreased HuR mRNA and the mRNAs of HuR-regulated proteins (Bcl2 and p27) in tumor cells. Additionally, reduction in the expression of HuR, Bcl2, cyclin E, and Bcl-XL with increased expression of Bax and p27 in CMLD-2-treated NSCLC cells were observed. CMLD-2-treated normal cells, HuR-regulated mRNAs and proteins albeit showed some reduction were less compared to tumor cells. Finally, CMLD-2 treatment resulted in greater mitochondrial perturbation, activation of caspase-9 and -3 and cleavage of PARP in tumor cells compared to normal cells. Our proof-of concept study results demonstrate CMLD-2 represents a promising HuR-targeted therapeutic class that with further development could lead to advanced preclinical studied and ultimately for lung cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranganayaki Muralidharan
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Rebaz Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.,Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Sudeshna Roy
- Division of Chemical Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, 66160, Kansas, USA
| | - Jeffrey Aubé
- Division of Chemical Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Allshine Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Yan Daniel Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Terence Herman
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA. .,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA. .,Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA. .,Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Filippova N, Yang X, Ananthan S, Sorochinsky A, Hackney JR, Gentry Z, Bae S, King P, Nabors LB. Hu antigen R (HuR) multimerization contributes to glioma disease progression. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:16999-17010. [PMID: 28790173 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.797878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Among primary brain cancers, gliomas are the most deadly and most refractory to current treatment modalities. Previous reports overwhelmingly support the role of the RNA-binding protein Hu antigen R (HuR) as a positive regulator of glioma disease progression. HuR expression is consistently elevated in tumor tissues, and a cytoplasmic localization appears essential for HuR-dependent oncogenic transformation. Here, we report HuR aggregation (multimerization) in glioma and the analysis of this tumor-specific HuR protein multimerization in clinical brain tumor samples. Using a split luciferase assay, a bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technique, and site-directed mutagenesis, we examined the domains involved in HuR multimerization. Results obtained with the combination of the split HuR luciferase assay with the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technique suggested that multiple (at least three) HuR molecules come together during HuR multimerization in glioma cells. Using these data, we developed a model of HuR multimerization in glioma cells. We also demonstrate that exposing glioma cells to the HuR inhibitor tanshinone group compound 15,16-dihydrotanshinone-I or to the newly identified compound 5 disrupts HuR multimerization modules and reduces tumor cell survival and proliferation. In summary, our findings provide new insights into HuR multimerization in glioma and highlight possible pharmacological approaches for targeting HuR domains involved in cancer cell-specific multimerization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sejong Bae
- Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Peter King
- From the Departments of Neurology.,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Vaklavas C, Blume SW, Grizzle WE. Translational Dysregulation in Cancer: Molecular Insights and Potential Clinical Applications in Biomarker Development. Front Oncol 2017; 7:158. [PMID: 28798901 PMCID: PMC5526920 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although transcript levels have been traditionally used as a surrogate measure of gene expression, it is increasingly recognized that the latter is extensively and dynamically modulated at the level of translation (messenger RNA to protein). Over the recent years, significant progress has been made in dissecting the complex posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate gene expression. This advancement in knowledge came hand in hand with the progress made in the methodologies to study translation both at gene-specific as well as global genomic level. The majority of translational control is exerted at the level of initiation; nonetheless, protein synthesis can be modulated at the level of translation elongation, termination, and recycling. Sequence and structural elements and epitranscriptomic modifications of individual transcripts allow for dynamic gene-specific modulation of translation. Cancer cells usurp the regulatory mechanisms that govern translation to carry out translational programs that lead to the phenotypic hallmarks of cancer. Translation is a critical nexus in neoplastic transformation. Multiple oncogenes and signaling pathways that are activated, upregulated, or mutated in cancer converge on translation and their transformative impact "bottlenecks" at the level of translation. Moreover, this translational dysregulation allows cancer cells to adapt to a diverse array of stresses associated with a hostile microenviroment and antitumor therapies. All elements involved in the process of translation, from the transcriptional template, the components of the translational machinery, to the proteins that interact with the transcriptome, have been found to be qualitatively and/or quantitatively perturbed in cancer. This review discusses the regulatory mechanisms that govern translation in normal cells and how translation becomes dysregulated in cancer leading to the phenotypic hallmarks of malignancy. We also discuss how dysregulated mediators or components of translation can be utilized as biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive significance. Such biomarkers have the potential advantage of uniform applicability in the face of inherent tumor heterogeneity and deoxyribonucleic acid instability. As translation becomes increasingly recognized as a process gone awry in cancer and agents are developed to target it, the utility and significance of these potential biomarkers is expected to increase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Vaklavas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Scott W Blume
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - William E Grizzle
- Department of Anatomic Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gauchotte G, Hergalant S, Vigouroux C, Casse JM, Houlgatte R, Kaoma T, Helle D, Brochin L, Rech F, Peyre M, Labrousse F, Vallar L, Guéant JL, Vignaud JM, Battaglia-Hsu SF. Cytoplasmic overexpression of RNA-binding protein HuR is a marker of poor prognosis in meningioma, and HuR knockdown decreases meningioma cell growth and resistance to hypoxia. J Pathol 2017; 242:421-434. [PMID: 28493484 DOI: 10.1002/path.4916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
HuR regulates cytoplasmic mRNA stability and translatability, and the HuR expression level has been shown to correlate with poor disease outcome in several cancer types; however, the prognostic value and potential pro-oncogenic properties of HuR in meningioma remain unclear. Thus, in the present study, we analysed 85 meningioma tissue samples to establish the relationship between HuR expression, tumour cell proliferation, and/or patient survival. In addition, we examined the anti-proliferative effects of HuR knockdown in two meningioma cell lines (IOMM-Lee and Ben-Men-1) and conducted transcriptome-wide analyses (IOMM-Lee cells) to elucidate the molecular consequences of HuR knockdown. The results of the present study showed HuR cytoplasmic expression to correlate positively with tumour grade (p = 1.2 × 10-8 ) and negatively with progression-free and overall survival (p = 0.01) time in human meningioma tissues. In vitro, siHuR-induced HuR knockdown was shown to reduce the growth of both Ben-Men-1 (p = 2 × 10-8 ) and IOMM-Lee (p = 4 × 10-9 ) cells. Transcriptome analyses revealed HuR knockdown in IOMM-Lee cells to deregulate the HIF1A signalling pathway (p = 1.5 × 10-6 ) and to up-regulate the expression of genes essential for the assembly of the cytoplasmic mRNA processing body, global genome nucleotide-excision repair, poly(A)-specific ribonuclease activity, the positive regulation of apoptosis and of cell cycle arrest, and the negative regulation of RNA splicing [p(FDR) < 0.001]. Interestingly, HuR knockdown under hypoxic culture conditions further potentiated the effects of HuR knockdown on cell growth, apoptosis, and HIF1A expression. We thus conclude that cytoplasmic HuR expression is a marker of poor prognosis in meningioma and that HuR is a promising potential therapeutic target for use in tumours refractory to standard therapies. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Gauchotte
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Department of Pathology, CHRU, Nancy, France
| | - Sébastien Hergalant
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | | | - Jean-Matthieu Casse
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Department of Pathology, CHRU, Nancy, France
| | - Rémi Houlgatte
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Tony Kaoma
- Proteome and Genome Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Déborah Helle
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | | | - Fabien Rech
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHRU, Nancy, France.,Institut des Neurosciences, INSERM U1051, Montpellier, France
| | - Matthieu Peyre
- Sorbonne Université, UPMC University Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, UM 75, U 1127, UMR 7225, ICM, Paris, France.,Department of Neurosurgery, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Laurent Vallar
- Proteome and Genome Research Unit, Department of Oncology, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Jean-Louis Guéant
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,M2TP, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CHRU, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Michel Vignaud
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,Department of Pathology, CHRU, Nancy, France.,Centre de Ressources Biologiques, BB-0033-00035, CHRU Nancy, France
| | - Shyue-Fang Battaglia-Hsu
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.,M2TP, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CHRU, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Green Tea Polyphenol Induces Changes in Cancer-Related Factors in an Animal Model of Bladder Cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171091. [PMID: 28141864 PMCID: PMC5283747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Green tea polyphenol (GTP) suppresses carcinogenesis and aggressiveness in many types of malignancies including bladder cancer. However, the mechanistic basis of these effects is not well understood. This was investigated in the present study using a mouse model of chemically induced bladder cancer. C3H/He mice (8 weeks old; n = 46) were treated with 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) solution for 14-24 weeks. Mice in the BBN + GTP group (n = 47) were also treated with 0.5% GTP solution over the same period. Tumor cell proliferation and microvessel density were evaluated along with immunohistochemical analysis of human antigen (Hu)R, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and hemeoxygenase (HO)-1 expression. Cytoplasmic HuR expression in cancer cells was higher at 14 and 24 weeks in the BBN than in the control group and was associated with increased invasion of tumor cells in muscle. However, these effects were not observed in the BBN + GTP group. A multivariate analysis of GTP intake and cytoplasmic HuR expression revealed that GTP was independently associated with COX-2 and HO-1 expression, while cytoplasmic HuR expression was associated with COX-2 and VEGF-A levels. Expression of COX-2 and HO-1 was associated with cell proliferation and that of VEGF-A and HO-1 was associated with angiogenesis. Nuclear HuR expression was not associated with any parameters such as carcinogenesis, muscle invasion, and GTP intake. These results indicate that GTP intake can suppress tumor progression and malignant behavior in an animal model of bladder cancer. We also speculate that GTP directly and indirectly suppresses tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis via HuR-related pathways in bladder cancer.
Collapse
|
32
|
Vlasova-St Louis I, Bohjanen PR. Post-transcriptional regulation of cytokine and growth factor signaling in cancer. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2016; 33:83-93. [PMID: 27956133 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines and growth factors regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, and play important roles in coordinating growth signal responses during development. The expression of cytokine genes and the signals transmitted through cytokine receptors are tightly regulated at several levels, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. A majority of cytokine mRNAs, including growth factor transcripts, contain AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3' untranslated regions that control gene expression by regulating mRNA degradation and changing translational rates. In addition, numerous proteins involved in transmitting signals downstream of cytokine receptors are regulated at the level of mRNA degradation by GU-rich elements (GREs) found in their 3' untranslated regions. Abnormal stabilization and overexpression of ARE or GRE-containing transcripts had been observed in many malignancies, which is a consequence of the malfunction of RNA-binding proteins. In this review, we briefly summarize the role of AREs and GREs in regulating mRNA turnover to coordinate cytokine and growth factor expression, and we describe how dysregulation of mRNA degradation mechanisms contributes to the development and progression of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul R Bohjanen
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Giaginis C, Alexandrou P, Delladetsima I, Karavokyros I, Danas E, Giagini A, Patsouris E, Theocharis S. Clinical Significance of Hu-Antigen Receptor (HuR) and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Expression in Human Malignant and Benign Thyroid Lesions. Pathol Oncol Res 2016; 22:189-96. [PMID: 26498465 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-015-9997-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hu-antigen R (HuR) is considered to play a crucial role in tumor formation and growth by binding to mRNAs encoding proteins such as Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducing their expression via mRNA stabilization and/or altered translation. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of HuR and COX-2 proteins’ expression in human benign and malignant thyroid lesions. HuR and COX-2 proteins’ expression was assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded thyroid tissues obtained from 98 patients with benign (n = 48) and malignant (n = 50) lesions and was statistically analyzed with clinicopathological parameters, follicular cells’ proliferative capacity and recurrence risk rate. Enhanced HuR and COX-2 expression was significantly more frequently observed in malignant compared to benign thyroid lesions (p = 0.0073 and p = 0.0016, respectively), as well as in papillary carcinomas compared to hyperplastic nodules (p = 0.0039 and p = 0.0009, respectively). Positive associations of both HuR and COX-2 expression with follicular cells’ proliferation rate were also noted (p = 0.0087 and p = 0.0127, respectively). In malignant thyroid lesions, elevated COX-2 expression was significantly associated with female patients’ gender (p = 0.0381) and the presence of lymph node metastases (p = 0.0296). The present data support evidence that both HuR and COX-2 may be involved in the malignant state of thyroid neoplasia and may be utilized in the diagnosis of malignant thyroid tumors.
Collapse
|
34
|
Jimbo M, Blanco FF, Huang YH, Telonis AG, Screnci BA, Cosma GL, Alexeev V, Gonye GE, Yeo CJ, Sawicki JA, Winter JM, Brody JR. Targeting the mRNA-binding protein HuR impairs malignant characteristics of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:27312-31. [PMID: 26314962 PMCID: PMC4694992 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation is a powerful mediator of gene expression, and can rapidly alter the expression of numerous transcripts involved in tumorigenesis. We have previously shown that the mRNA-binding protein HuR (ELAVL1) is elevated in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) specimens compared to normal pancreatic tissues, and its cytoplasmic localization is associated with increased tumor stage. To gain a better insight into HuR’s role in PDA biology and to assess it as a candidate therapeutic target, we altered HuR expression in PDA cell lines and characterized the resulting phenotype in preclinical models. HuR silencing by short hairpin and small interfering RNAs significantly decreased cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth, as well as impaired migration and invasion. In comparison, HuR overexpression increased migration and invasion, but had no significant effects on cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. Importantly, two distinct targeted approaches to HuR silencing showed marked impairment in tumor growth in mouse xenografts. NanoString nCounter® analyses demonstrated that HuR regulates core biological processes, highlighting that HuR inhibition likely thwarts PDA viability through post-transcriptional regulation of diverse signaling pathways (e.g. cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA repair). Taken together, our study suggests that targeted inhibition of HuR may be a novel, promising approach to the treatment of PDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Jimbo
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Fernando F Blanco
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yu-Hung Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aristeidis G Telonis
- Computational Medicine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brad A Screnci
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Gabriela L Cosma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vitali Alexeev
- Department of Dermatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Charles J Yeo
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jordan M Winter
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan R Brody
- Department of Surgery and The Jefferson Pancreas, Biliary and Related Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Muralidharan R, Babu A, Amreddy N, Basalingappa K, Mehta M, Chen A, Zhao YD, Kompella UB, Munshi A, Ramesh R. Folate receptor-targeted nanoparticle delivery of HuR-RNAi suppresses lung cancer cell proliferation and migration. J Nanobiotechnology 2016; 14:47. [PMID: 27328938 PMCID: PMC4915183 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-016-0201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA binding protein that is overexpressed in many human cancers, including lung cancer, and has been shown to regulate the expression of several oncoproteins. Further, HuR overexpression in cancer cells has been associated with poor-prognosis and therapy resistance. Therefore, we hypothesized that targeted inhibition of HuR in cancer cells should suppress several HuR-regulated oncoproteins resulting in an effective anticancer efficacy. To test our hypothesis, in the present study we investigated the efficacy of folate receptor-α (FRA)-targeted DOTAP:Cholesterol lipid nanoparticles carrying HuR siRNA (HuR-FNP) against human lung cancer cells. RESULTS The therapeutic efficacy of HuR-FNP was tested in FRA overexpressing human H1299 lung cancer cell line and compared to normal lung fibroblast (CCD16) cells that had low to no FRA expression. Physico-chemical characterization studies showed HuR-FNP particle size was 303.3 nm in diameter and had a positive surface charge (+4.3 mV). Gel retardation and serum stability assays showed that the FNPs were efficiently protected siRNA from rapid degradation. FNP uptake was significantly higher in H1299 cells compared to CCD16 cells indicating a receptor-dose effect. The results of competitive inhibition studies in H1299 cells demonstrated that HuR-FNPs were efficiently internalized via FRA-mediated endocytosis. Biologic studies demonstrated HuR-FNP but not C-FNP (control siRNA) induced G1 phase cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in H1299 cells resulting in significant growth inhibition. Further, HuR-FNP exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity against H1299 cells than it did against CCD16 cells. The reduction in H1299 cell viability was correlated with a marked decrease in HuR mRNA and protein expression. Further, reduced expression of HuR-regulated oncoproteins (cyclin D1, cyclin E, and Bcl-2) and increased p27 tumor suppressor protein were observed in HuR-FNP-treated H1299 cells but not in C-FNP-treated cells. Finally, cell migration was significantly inhibited in HuR-FNP-treated H1299 cells compared to C-FNP. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that HuR is a molecular target for lung cancer therapy and its suppression using HuR-FNP produced significant therapeutic efficacy in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranganayaki Muralidharan
- Departments of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Anish Babu
- Departments of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Narsireddy Amreddy
- Departments of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Kanthesh Basalingappa
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Meghna Mehta
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Allshine Chen
- Departments of Epidemiology and Statistics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Yan Daniel Zhao
- Departments of Epidemiology and Statistics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Uday B Kompella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Opthalmology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Anupama Munshi
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Rajagopal Ramesh
- Departments of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center, Suite 1403, 975 N.E., 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lafzi A, Kazan H. Inferring RBP-Mediated Regulation in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155354. [PMID: 27186987 PMCID: PMC4871487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play key roles in post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs. Dysregulations in RBP-mediated mechanisms have been found to be associated with many steps of cancer initiation and progression. Despite this, previous studies of gene expression in cancer have ignored the effect of RBPs. To this end, we developed a lasso regression model that predicts gene expression in cancer by incorporating RBP-mediated regulation as well as the effects of other well-studied factors such as copy-number variation, DNA methylation, TFs and miRNAs. As a case study, we applied our model to Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) data as we found that there are several RBPs differentially expressed in LUSC. Including RBP-mediated regulatory effects in addition to the other features significantly increased the Spearman rank correlation between predicted and measured expression of held-out genes. Using a feature selection procedure that accounts for the adaptive search employed by lasso regularization, we identified the candidate regulators in LUSC. Remarkably, several of these candidate regulators are RBPs. Furthermore, majority of the candidate regulators have been previously found to be associated with lung cancer. To investigate the mechanisms that are controlled by these regulators, we predicted their target gene sets based on our model. We validated the target gene sets by comparing against experimentally verified targets. Our results suggest that the future studies of gene expression in cancer must consider the effect of RBP-mediated regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Lafzi
- Department of Health Informatics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hilal Kazan
- Department of Computer Engineering, Antalya International University, Antalya, Turkey
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Melling N, Taskin B, Hube-Magg C, Kluth M, Minner S, Koop C, Grob T, Graefen M, Heinzer H, Tsourlakis MC, Izbicki J, Wittmer C, Huland H, Simon R, Wilczak W, Sauter G, Steurer S, Schlomm T, Krech T. Cytoplasmic accumulation of ELAVL1 is an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence associated with genomic instability in prostate cancer. Prostate 2016; 76:259-72. [PMID: 26764246 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND ELAVL1 is an RNA binding protein involved in translation control, which might have a regulatory role in prostate cancer progress. METHODS To evaluate its impact and relationship with key genomic alterations, ELAVL1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray containing 12,427 prostate cancers. RESULTS The analysis revealed a mild to moderate predominantly nuclear immunostaining in normal prostate epithelium and an often higher both cytoplasmic and nuclear expression in cancer cells. Weak, moderate, and strong cytoplasmic ELAVL1 staining was found in 43%, 18%, and 3% of 10,478 interpretable tumors. Strong ELAVL1 staining was linked to high Gleason grade, advanced pathological tumor stage, positive nodal status, and PSA recurrence (P < 0.0001 each). A combined analysis of the effect of nuclear and cytoplasmic ELAVL1 expression on PSA recurrence revealed that the association with patient outcome was entirely driven by cytoplasmic staining. ELAVL1 positivity was more frequent in cancers harboring TMPRSS2:ERG fusions found by FISH (78%) or showing immunohistochemical ERG expression (74%) than in cancers without ERG rearrangement (63%) or ERG expression (58%, P < 0.0001 each). Strong cytoplasmic ELAVL1 staining was further linked to presence of PTEN, 5q21, 6q15, and 3p13 deletions (P < 0.0001 each), an observation consistent with cytoplasmic ELAVL1 accumulation in case of genomic instability. The prognostic role of ELAVL1 expression was independent of Gleason grade, T stage, N stage, surgical margin status, and preoperative PSA, irrespective of whether preoperative or postoperative variables were used for modeling. CONCLUSION Our study identifies cytoplasmic accumulation of ELAVL1 as a predictor of adverse clinical behavior of prostate cancer independent of established clinico-pathological parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Melling
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Berivan Taskin
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Claudia Hube-Magg
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Martina Kluth
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Sarah Minner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Christina Koop
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Tobias Grob
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Markus Graefen
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Hans Heinzer
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Izbicki
- General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery Department and Clinic, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Corinna Wittmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Hartwig Huland
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Waldemar Wilczak
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Steurer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schlomm
- Martini-Clinic, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
- Department of Urology, Section for Translational Prostate Cancer Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Till Krech
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Combinatorial Control of mRNA Fates by RNA-Binding Proteins and Non-Coding RNAs. Biomolecules 2015; 5:2207-22. [PMID: 26404389 PMCID: PMC4693235 DOI: 10.3390/biom5042207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional control of gene expression is mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and small non-coding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs) that bind to distinct elements in their mRNA targets. Here, we review recent examples describing the synergistic and/or antagonistic effects mediated by RBPs and miRNAs to determine the localisation, stability and translation of mRNAs in mammalian cells. From these studies, it is becoming increasingly apparent that dynamic rearrangements of RNA-protein complexes could have profound implications in human cancer, in synaptic plasticity, and in cellular differentiation.
Collapse
|
39
|
Wang Z, Bhattacharya A, Ivanov DN. Identification of Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the HuR/RNA Interaction Using a Fluorescence Polarization Screening Assay Followed by NMR Validation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138780. [PMID: 26390015 PMCID: PMC4577092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The human antigen R (HuR) stabilizes many mRNAs of proto-oncogene, transcription factors, cytokines and growth factors by recognizing AU-rich elements (AREs) presented in their 3’ or 5’ untranslated region (UTR). Multiple lines of experimental evidence suggest that this process plays a key role in cancer development. Thus, destabilizing HuR/RNA interaction by small molecules presents an opportunity for cancer treatment/prevention. Here we present an integrated approach to identify inhibitors of HuR/RNA interaction using a combination of fluorescence-based and NMR-based high throughput screening (HTS). The HTS assay with fluorescence polarization readout and Z’-score of 0.8 was used to perform a screen of the NCI diversity set V library in a 384 well plate format. An NMR-based assay with saturation transfer difference (STD) detection was used for hits validation. Protein NMR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that some hit compounds disrupt formation of HuR oligomer, whereas others block RNA binding. Thus, our integrated high throughput approach provides a new avenue for identification of small molecules targeting HuR/RNA interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Akash Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States of America
| | - Dmitri N. Ivanov
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Kilvaer TK, Paulsen EE, Hald SM, Wilsgaard T, Bremnes RM, Busund LT, Donnem T. Lymphangiogenic Markers and Their Impact on Nodal Metastasis and Survival in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer--A Structured Review with Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132481. [PMID: 26305218 PMCID: PMC4549062 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), nodal metastasis is an adverse prognostic factor. Several mediating factors have been implied in the development of nodal metastases and investigated for predictive and prognostic properties in NSCLC. However, study results differ. In this structured review and meta-analysis we explore the published literature on commonly recognized pathways for molecular regulation of lymphatic metastasis in NSCLC. Methods A structured PubMed search was conducted for papers reporting on the expression of known markers of lymhangiogenesis in NSCLC patients. Papers of sufficient quality, presenting survival and/or correlation data were included. Results High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C, HR 1.57 95% CI 1.34–1.84) and high lymphatic vascular density (LVD, HR 1.84 95% CI 1.18–2.87) were significant prognostic markers of poor survival and high expression of VEGF-C, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) and LVD was associated with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Conclusion Lymphangiogenic markers are prognosticators of survival and correlate with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. Their exact role and clinical implications should be further elucidated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas K. Kilvaer
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
- * E-mail:
| | - Erna-Elise Paulsen
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Sigurd M. Hald
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Tom Wilsgaard
- Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Roy M. Bremnes
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Lill-Tove Busund
- Department of Clinical Pathology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| | - Tom Donnem
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromso, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromso, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Vigouroux C, Casse JM, Battaglia-Hsu SF, Brochin L, Luc A, Paris C, Lacomme S, Gueant JL, Vignaud JM, Gauchotte G. Methyl(R217)HuR and MCM6 are inversely correlated and are prognostic markers in non small cell lung carcinoma. Lung Cancer 2015; 89:189-96. [PMID: 26013954 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2015.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), earlier studies supported a prognostic value of intra-cytoplasmic HuR expression. HuR is a RNA binding protein previously shown to stimulate proliferation, but the link between HuR and proliferation in NSCLC has not yet been evaluated. The first objective of this study was to analyze the expression of HuR in a series of NSCLC and to correlate this to two proliferation markers, Ki-67 and MCM6. As potential post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms for HuR expression, two miRNAs, miR16 and miR519, were also analyzed. Finally, because HuR methylation could be involved in its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, the expression of methyl(R217)HuR and its relation to cancer survival were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of HuR, methy(R217)HuR, Ki-67 and MCM6 in a series of 190 NSCLCs. The level of miR16 and miR519 was determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS Higher cytoplasmic HuR staining was found in tumor vs. control paired normal lung (p<0.0001), but without correlation with survival. The level of methyl(R217)HuR was correlated both significantly with intra-cytoplasmic HuR staining (p<0.001), and overall survival (p=0.01). MCM6 correlated to a poorer overall survival (p<0.01). Both MCM6 and Ki-67 were positively correlated with HuR nuclear staining (p<0.0001 and p<0.001, respectively). On the contrary, MCM6 and Ki-67 correlated inversely to methyl(R217)HuR (p<0.001 and p=0.01, respectively). The levels of miR16 and miR519 were significantly lower in tumor tissue vs. paired normal lung (p<0.0001), but only miR519 correlated inversely to HuR expression (p=0.01). CONCLUSION While overall cytoplasmic HuR level was higher in tumor tissues, we found unexpectedly that methyl(R217)HuR was a marker of good prognosis. Furthermore, our data suggest that HuR level could be regulated by miR519. Finally, we demonstrated that Ki-67 and MCM6, both correlated with HuR, are valuable markers of poor prognosis in NSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Matthieu Casse
- Department of Pathology, CHU Nancy, France; INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Shyue-Fang Battaglia-Hsu
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, CHU Nancy, France
| | | | - Amandine Luc
- INGRES, EA7298, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Christophe Paris
- INGRES, EA7298, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Department of Occupational Diseases, CHU Nancy, France
| | | | - Jean-Louis Gueant
- INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, CHU Nancy, France
| | - Jean-Michel Vignaud
- Department of Pathology, CHU Nancy, France; INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France; Centre de Ressources Biologiques, BB-0033-00035, CHU Nancy, France
| | - Guillaume Gauchotte
- Department of Pathology, CHU Nancy, France; INSERM U954, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Post-transcriptional up-regulation of PDGF-C by HuR in advanced and stressed breast cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:20306-20. [PMID: 25383675 PMCID: PMC4264168 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151120306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease characterized by multiple genetic alterations leading to the activation of growth factor signaling pathways that promote cell proliferation. Platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) is overexpressed in various malignancies; however, the involvement of PDGF-C in breast cancers and the mechanisms underlying PDGF-C deregulation remain unclear. Here, we show that PDGF-C is overexpressed in clinical breast cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. PDGF-C up-regulation was mediated by the human embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like protein HuR, which stabilizes the PDGF-C transcript by binding to two predicted AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). HuR is up-regulated in hydrogen peroxide-treated or ultraviolet-irradiated breast cancer cells. Clinically, HuR levels are correlated with PDGF-C expression and histological grade or pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying HuR-mediated breast cancer progression, and suggest that HuR and PDGF-C are potential molecular candidates for targeted therapy of breast cancers.
Collapse
|
43
|
Giaginis C, Alexandrou P, Tsoukalas N, Sfiniadakis I, Kavantzas N, Agapitos E, Patsouris E, Theocharis S. Hu-antigen receptor (HuR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in human non-small-cell lung carcinoma: associations with clinicopathological parameters, tumor proliferative capacity and patients' survival. Tumour Biol 2014; 36:315-27. [PMID: 25252849 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2637-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hu-antigen R (HuR) is considered to play a central role in tumor formation, growth, and metastasis by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding proteins such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducing their expression via mRNA stabilization and/or altered translation. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of HuR and COX-2 protein expression in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). HuR and COX-2 expression was assessed immunohistochemically on tissue microarrays of 81 surgically resected NSCLC and was analyzed in relation with clinicopathological characteristics and patients' survival. Enhanced total HuR expression was significantly associated with tumor histological type and presence of lymph node metastases, as well as with increased tumor proliferative capacity and poor patients' outcome (p = 0.039, p = 0.017, p = 0.033, and p = 0.022, respectively). Enhanced COX-2 expression was significantly associated with the presence of lymphovascular invasion and increased tumor proliferative capacity (p = 0.031 and p = 0.023, respectively). Concomitant elevated HuR/COX-2 expression levels were significantly associated with tumor histological type and increased proliferative capacity (p = 0.002 and p = 0.045, respectively). Enhanced total HuR expression, as well as its cytoplasmic localization, was significantly associated with increased COX-2 expression (p = 0.015 and p = 0.001, respectively). The present study supported evidence that HuR may participate in malignant transformation of NSCLC, reinforcing its usefulness as potential therapeutic target in this type of neoplasia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Giaginis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias str, Goudi, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Yang Z, Zheng R, Gao Y, Zhang Q. Gene expression profiles on predicting protein interaction network and exploring of new treatments for lung cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:8203-10. [PMID: 25205123 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3722-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we aimed to explore disease-associated genes and their functions in lung cancer. We downloaded the gene expression profile GSE4115 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Total 97 lung cancer and 90 adjacent non-tumor lung tissue (normal) samples were applied to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by paired t test and variance analysis in spectral angle mapper (SAM) package in R. Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis of DEGs were performed with Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery, followed by construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network from Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD). Finally, network modules were analyzed by the MCODE algorithm to detect protein complexes in the PPI network. Total 3,102 genes were identified as DEGs at FDR < 0.05, including 1,146 down-regulated and 1,956 up-regulated DEGs. GO functional enrichment analysis revealed that up-regulated DEGs mainly participated in cell cycle and intracellular related functions, and down-regulated DEGs might influence cell functions. There were 39,240 pairs of PPIs in human obtained from HPRD databases, 3,102 DEGs were mapped to this PPI network, in which 2,429 pairs of PPIs and 1,342 genes were identified. With MCODE algorithm, 48 modules were selected, including five corresponding modules and three modules with differences in gene expressing profiles. In addition, three DGEs, FXR2, ARFGAP1 and ELAVL1 were discovered as potential lung cancer related genes. The discovery of featured genes which were probably related to lung cancer, has a great significance on studying mechanism, distinguishing normal and cancer tissues, and exploring new treatments for lung cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zehui Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wang D, Wang M, Hu C, Shuang T, Zhou Y, Yan X. Expression of the ELAV-like protein HuR in the cytoplasm is associated with endometrial carcinoma progression. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:11939-47. [PMID: 25182852 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-2485-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR) is an mRNA-binding factor that belongs to the embryonic lethal abnormal vision/Hu protein family which may function as a tumor maintenance gene in a variety of carcinomas. However, there is no study to analyze HuR expression in endometrial carcinoma. Here, we investigated the expression of HuR in endometrial carcinoma carcinogenesis and subsequent progression. The expression of HuR and estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) protein was examined by immunohistochemistry on paraffin embedding specimens containing endometrial carcinoma and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Short hairpin RNA against HuR was transfected to investigate the role of HuR in regulating the expression of ER-α and progression in endometrial carcinoma. Cell viability and cycle were measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry, respectively. Apoptosis was examined by annexin V apoptosis assay. Our study result show that cytoplasmic HuR expression is more frequent in poorly differentiated carcinomas (p = 0.005), advanced stage (p = 0.020), and positive ER-α expression (p = 0.026). Three HuR short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were transfected into Ishikawa cells, and we selected the most effective shRNA for the following experiments. After the transfection, the ER-α protein level was decreased. Further, decreased expression of HuR resulted in the inhibition of proliferation and induced apoptosis in Ishikawa cells. Our results showed that HuR could be a causal factor of ER-α regulation in Ishikawa cells and thus may induce the hormone-dependent endometrial carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No. 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Newhook TE, Blais EM, Lindberg JM, Adair SJ, Xin W, Lee JK, Papin JA, Parsons JT, Bauer TW. A thirteen-gene expression signature predicts survival of patients with pancreatic cancer and identifies new genes of interest. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105631. [PMID: 25180633 PMCID: PMC4152146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, prognostication for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is based upon a coarse clinical staging system. Thus, more accurate prognostic tests are needed for PDAC patients to aid treatment decisions. METHODS AND FINDINGS Affymetrix gene expression profiling was carried out on 15 human PDAC tumors and from the data we identified a 13-gene expression signature (risk score) that correlated with patient survival. The gene expression risk score was then independently validated using published gene expression data and survival data for an additional 101 patients with pancreatic cancer. Patients with high-risk scores had significantly higher risk of death compared to patients with low-risk scores (HR 2.27, p = 0.002). When the 13-gene score was combined with lymph node status the risk-score further discriminated the length of patient survival time (p<0.001). Patients with a high-risk score had poor survival independent of nodal status; however, nodal status increased predictability for survival in patients with a low-risk gene signature score (low-risk N1 vs. low-risk N0: HR = 2.0, p = 0.002). While AJCC stage correlated with patient survival (p = 0.03), the 13-gene score was superior at predicting survival. Of the 13 genes comprising the predictive model, four have been shown to be important in PDAC, six are unreported in PDAC but important in other cancers, and three are unreported in any cancer. CONCLUSIONS We identified a 13-gene expression signature that predicts survival of PDAC patients and could prove useful for making treatment decisions. This risk score should be evaluated prospectively in clinical trials for prognostication and for predicting response to chemotherapy. Investigation of new genes identified in our model may lead to novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy E. Newhook
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Edik M. Blais
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - James M. Lindberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sara J. Adair
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Wenjun Xin
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jae K. Lee
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jason A. Papin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - J. Thomas Parsons
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Todd W. Bauer
- Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Kotta-Loizou I, Giaginis C, Theocharis S. Clinical significance of HuR expression in human malignancy. Med Oncol 2014; 31:161. [PMID: 25112469 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0161-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hu-antigen R (HuR) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the stability, translation, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm translocation of target mRNAs. The aim of the present review was to summarize and present the currently available information in the English literature on HuR expression in various human tumors, verifying its possible clinical significance. HuR function is directly linked to its subcellular localization. In normal cells, HuR is mostly localized in the nucleus, while in malignant cells, an increase in cytoplasmic HuR levels has been noted, in both cell lines and tissue samples. Moreover, in malignancy, elevated HuR expression levels and cytoplasmic immunohistochemical pattern have been correlated with advanced clinicopathological parameters and altered expression levels of proteins implicated in neoplasia. Additionally, elevated HuR expression levels and mainly cytoplasmic immunohistochemical pattern were correlated with decreased patients' survival rate in various human tumors. HuR is a putative drug target for cancer therapy, since it is expressed ubiquitously in malignant clinical samples and has an apparently consistent role in tumor formation and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioly Kotta-Loizou
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Cha JD, Kim HK, Cha IH. Cytoplasmic HuR expression: correlation with cellular inhibitors of apoptosis protein-2 expression and clinicopathologic factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Head Neck 2014; 36:1168-75. [PMID: 23852810 DOI: 10.1002/hed.23431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2011] [Revised: 02/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HuR expression has been noted in several cancer types, in which it may contribute to increased expression of cellular inhibitors of apoptosis protein-2 (cIAP2) observed during tumorigenesis. METHODS To assess the correlation between cIAP2 and HuR in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the expression patterns of HuR and cIAP2 were assessed by immunohistochemical analyses of 95 treated OSCC samples. RESULTS In the tumor tissues, positive cytoplasmic HuR expression was evident in 71.6% of samples and positive cIAP2 expression was noted in 95.8% of samples. Positive cytoplasmic HuR expression was significantly associated with positive cIAP2 (p < .035) and high cIAP2 expression (p < .007), as well as high grade (p < .050). The inhibition of HuR expression by small interfering RNA or leptomycin B caused a reduction in the inducibility of cIAP2 in oral cancer cells. CONCLUSION Cytoplasmic expression of HuR is associated with cIAP2 expression in OSCCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Dan Cha
- Department of Research Development, Institute of Jinan Red Ginseng, Jinan-gun, South Korea
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Papadodima O, Chatziioannou A, Patrinou-Georgoula M, Kolisis FN, Pletsa V, Guialis A. HuR-regulated mRNAs associated with nuclear hnRNP A1-RNP complexes. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:20256-81. [PMID: 24152440 PMCID: PMC3821614 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141020256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Revised: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulatory networks are dependent on the interplay of many RNA-binding proteins having a major role in mRNA processing events in mammals. We have been interested in the concerted action of the two RNA-binding proteins hnRNP A1 and HuR, both stable components of immunoselected hnRNP complexes and having a major nuclear localization. Specifically, we present here the application of the RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP)-Chip technology to identify a population of nuclear transcripts associated with hnRNP A1-RNPs as isolated from the nuclear extract of either HuR WT or HuR-depleted (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. The outcome of this analysis was a list of target genes regulated via HuR for their association (either increased or reduced) with the nuclear hnRNP A1-RNP complexes. Real time PCR analysis was applied to validate a selected number of nuclear mRNA transcripts, as well as to identify pre-spliced transcripts (in addition to their mature mRNA counterpart) within the isolated nuclear hnRNP A1-RNPs. The differentially enriched mRNAs were found to belong to GO categories relevant to biological processes anticipated for hnRNP A1 and HuR (such as transport, transcription, translation, apoptosis and cell cycle) indicating their concerted function in mRNA metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Papadodima
- Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Avenue, Athens 11635, Greece; E-Mails: (O.P.); (A.C.); (M.P.-G.)
| | - Aristotelis Chatziioannou
- Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Avenue, Athens 11635, Greece; E-Mails: (O.P.); (A.C.); (M.P.-G.)
| | - Meropi Patrinou-Georgoula
- Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Avenue, Athens 11635, Greece; E-Mails: (O.P.); (A.C.); (M.P.-G.)
| | - Fragiskos N. Kolisis
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens 15780, Greece; E-Mail:
| | - Vasiliki Pletsa
- Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Avenue, Athens 11635, Greece; E-Mails: (O.P.); (A.C.); (M.P.-G.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (V.P.); (A.G.); Tel.: +30-210-7273-754 (V.P. & A.G.); Fax: +30-210-7273-677 (V.P. & A.G.)
| | - Apostolia Guialis
- Division of Biological Research and Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vas. Constantinou Avenue, Athens 11635, Greece; E-Mails: (O.P.); (A.C.); (M.P.-G.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (V.P.); (A.G.); Tel.: +30-210-7273-754 (V.P. & A.G.); Fax: +30-210-7273-677 (V.P. & A.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Predictive and prognostic significance of cytoplasmic expression of ELAV-like protein HuR in invasive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2013; 141:213-24. [PMID: 24036660 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-013-2679-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytoplasmic HuR is associated with reduced survival in invasive breast cancer. We designed this study to determine the predictive and prognostic value of HuR expression in women with breast cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. We immunohistochemically analyzed cytoplasmic HuR expression in tumor biopsy cores obtained from 139 patients with invasive breast cancers who received paclitaxel and anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We evaluated the relationship of HuR expression level with pathologic complete response (pCR), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Cytoplasmic HuR expression was present in 60 cases (43.2 %). The expression of cytoplasmic HuR was significantly associated with high nuclear grade (P < 0.0001) and ER (P = 0.001) and PR (P = 0.005) status. Multivariate regression analysis further revealed that high nuclear grade (P = 0.023), negative ER status (P = 0.043), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression (P < 0.0001), but not cytoplasmic HuR expression, were significant independent predictors of pCR. Interestingly, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that cytoplasmic HuR expression was a strong independent predictor of reduced LRFS (P = 0.014), DRFS (P = 0.001), RFS (P < 0.0001), and OS (P = 0.019) irrespective of pCR. Furthermore, the patient group with tumors showing both expression of cytoplasmic HuR and non-pCR had a worse prognosis in LRFS (P = 0.048), DRFS (P < 0.0001), RFS (P < 0.0001), and OS (P = 0.001) than did other patient groups; patients with tumors showing negative cytoplasmic expression of HuR and pCR had the best prognosis in all RFS and OS. Cytoplasmic expression of HuR is an independent prognostic marker in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Combination analyses of HuR expression and pCR, compared with pCR alone, can better predict clinical outcome in patients with primary breast cancer.
Collapse
|